When you're shopping for a full-size luxury SUV there's no reason to compromise. The 2017 Lincoln Navigator offers room for eight, classic American styling and most of the high-tech features you would expect in a modern family vehicle.The 2017 Lincoln Navigator gets no significant changes from the previous model year.
Pros Serene ride over any kind of road surface Lots of cargo room in both the standard and extended length versions Easy-to-use tech interface Substantial towing capacity allow it to handle large trailers.
Cons Some of the cabin materials look and feel cheap for a vehicle in this price range Doesn't offer some of the advanced safety features available on competitors.
The 2017 Lincoln Navigator has exceptional interior room, lots of bling, and unexpectedly good handling.Crossovers come, crossovers go, but full-size SUVs like the Lincoln Navigator have spent more time in vogue than Elle MacPherson. When gas prices are low, they're on the A-list; when fuel costs as much as an airplane ticket, they're still on the A-list, and they're not shy about it.
Pros Vast cabin—or vaster, if you need Tops in ride and handling New infotainment features Gas mileage is on the rise Twin-turbo V-6 is a blast
Cons Still a big 'ute in a downsized era Still a 6-speed automatic Adaptive dampers bundled as expensive options
The 2017 Lincoln Navigator ranks 7 out of 8 Luxury Large SUVs. If you're looking to buy a large luxury SUV with three rows of seats, the 2017 Lincoln Navigator is your cheapest way to get there. It also leads the class in both towing capacity and cargo space. However, you can find swankier interiors in most rivals, and the Navigator has a sparse list of driver assistance features.
Pros Brawny engine with above-average fuel economy Excellent towing capacity Outstanding cargo room Adult-friendly third-row seats
Cons Few driver assistance features available Interior feels outdated and low-rent to some
The 2017 BMW X6 M is about two things: style and performance. It has an abundance of both, but don't expect to get practicality, too. The 2017 BMW X6 M returns with an updated iDrive system that includes touchscreen functionality. The Executive option package also now includes a Wi-Fi hot spot and wireless charging for compatible cellphones.
Pros Stellar acceleration from turbocharged V8 Exceptional handling and stability for a heavy SUV Strong braking performance Wonderfully contoured seats hold you in place during hard cornering.
Cons Firm ride even with suspension in its softest setting Small cargo area Poor rearward visibility Limited rear headroom Sloping rear roofline makes for challenging entry and exit.
Who could have imagined marrying the tall ride height and all-wheel-drive ability of an SUV with the fastback styling of a sleek coupe would produce a desirable vehicle, but that’s exactly what BMW has done with the 2017 X6 SUV. Once an army of one, the X6 has been cloned by such notables as the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. Frankly we’re somewhat puzzled by the X6’s appeal. It isn’t a very off-road-capable vehicle and comes up short in areas designated for cargo and passengers. The 2017 BMW X6’s size precludes it from being as sporty as an Infiniti QX30 or Lexus NF, and yet despite these many drawbacks, the X6 is remarkably fun to drive and seems to have gained a loyal following.
Pros If you’re looking for a luxury SUV with unique looks, good handling and a lengthy options list, the 2017 BMW X6 SUV might appeal to you. It doesn’t come cheap, but then again what BMW does?
Cons If you need any part of the “utility” in Sport-Utility Vehicle, the 2017 BMW X6’s tiny cargo area, sharply slanted rear hatch and small rear seat probably won’t impress you. An X5 gives you similar performance as the X6 within a far more usable package.
The biggest demerit to the X6 M comes in its ride quality, which ranges from firm to unacceptably, jarringly firm, depending on how its air suspension is adjusted. On roads that are less than perfect, the head toss gets to be enough that wearing a helmet as protection against the suede headliner seems like a not-terrible idea. And then you’d be ready for the track, which is where the X6 M best acquits itself. Not that we imagine actually spotting any at track days. With a $103,050 base price, the X6 M’s window sticker is as extravagant as its test sheet. Save the snarky jokes about this being a “German Aztek”—they weren’t all that funny when the first X6 showed up nearly a decade ago. And today, when the automotive world has gone all-in on both horsepower and crossovers, what can we expect but things like the X6 M? This sort of automotive indulgence has never made much sense, but that’s exactly the point.
